Technology

Zero Waste Scotland launches new standard

Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) has launched Revolve, a new national standard for reuse organisations, in an effort to raise awareness of Scotland’s reuse sector and improve Scottish consumers’ faith in purchasing used goods.

Launched at the annual Community Resources Network for Scotland (CRNS) conference, Revolve was released alongside a report by ZWS, which found that as a result of concerns regarding quality and reliability, 46 per cent of Scottish consumers would ‘hesitate to buy reused goods’. However, 70 per cent deemed reused goods to be ‘good value for money’.

Iain Gulland

Iain Gulland, Director of Zero Waste Scotland, announced the new scheme, saying: “The overall aim of Revolve is to lead and develop a change in Scotland’s reuse organisations, giving them the advice, training and support to develop a business model which provides customers with an experience that is comparable to the high street.”

“We essentially want to increase the appeal of reuse, develop a sector of customer-focused organisations selling high quality products, and increase shopper’s confidence. This is vital if we are to make the best possible use of the resources we have.”

Following participation in the pilot phase of the programme, household shop Blythswood Care in Ross-shire and Furniture Plus, a Fife-based company offering furniture and electrical goods to those with little money, have become the first organisations to achieve the Revolve accredited quality status.

In order to receive the accreditation, organisations are assessed in a number of areas including customer care, shop layout, product testing and health and safety.

Joyce Elder, Blythswood Care shop manager said: “We’ve improved our retail display space and reorganised the layout, giving the business a more customer facing, professional image. We believe these changes have increased Blythswood Care’s appeal, and helped attract customers who perhaps wouldn’t have considered buying reused goods before.”

Richard Lochhead

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said: “Creating Revolve, a national quality standard for re-use organisations, is a significant step towards achieving our vision of a well-used sector of re-use stores known for high quality used goods.”

There are currently 20 organisations across Scotland working towards accreditation, including Bike Station outlets in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Aberdeen Forward and New Start Highland.

According to ZWS, Scotland’s reuse sector prevents 45,000 tonnes of reuseable goods from reaching landfill, generates in excess of £20 million for the Scottish economy and creates over 700 jobs, as well as more than 5,000 volunteer positions every year.

Visit the Revolve website to find out more.